By Becky Usman
The Nigerian Senate has issued a call for the federal government to investigate the theft of the country’s natural resources, which is contributing to the insecurity in Niger State. Senators believe that creating a conducive environment for artisans to explore these resources is a crucial step in addressing this issue.
The motion for this call was sponsored by Senator Sani Musa, representing Niger East Senatorial District, and it was titled, “Urgent Need For Federal Government To Deploy Troops And Other Security Apparatus To Immediately Bring An End To The Menace Of Insurgency And Terrorism In Niger State And Other Parts Of Nigeria.”
Senator Sani Musa emphasized that illegal mining is a significant problem in Niger State and is a national concern. He urged the government to take control of the mining sector to curb the menace of illegal mining. He also proposed the creation of a database for artisans to register, which would protect the country’s resources and help regulate the sector.
The senators, in their contributions, expressed concerns about the potential negative impact of this issue on the federal government’s policies related to food sufficiency and economic diversification. They called on the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Inspector General of Police to promptly deploy troops to defend the unarmed populace and restore security in the affected communities.
The senators emphasized that the restoration of confidence in the security and safety of the affected communities is paramount. They also called for the immediate deployment of a full military presence in Shiroro and Rafi local government areas.
Additionally, the Senate charged the military and security agencies to redesign their operational strategies within the affected areas to curb the escalating insecurity.
In response to this pressing concern, the Senate directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the National Emergency Management Agency to provide relief materials and medical support to the victims as a matter of national emergency.
The senators lamented the worsening situation, despite previous resolutions, security committee setups, national security summits, and the allocation of funds to support the nation’s security agencies. They are deeply concerned about the continuous attacks in the Niger East Senatorial District of Niger State and the significant impact on the local economy, regional systems, agricultural activities, and the displacement and suffering of the affected population.
The Senate is calling for decisive action to address these challenges and restore peace and security to the affected areas.